Chapter 8: About Pokémon Food

“Ancient carving craft?”

Guang Tai furrowed his brow in thought.

If it’s carving, then my family’s ancestral skill is carving craft.

But “ancient ruins’ stone blocks” — doesn’t that just mean the bricks inside the ruins or the rocks outside? And what exactly is a “symbolic stone slab”?

I don’t understand its function either, but that’s normal — I haven’t even obtained this material yet, though it’s not urgent.

The Divine Capital Ruins lie on a nearby high mountain; though the journey is distant, it’s currently summer — the perfect window to enter the ruins.

This land has only four months without snow each year, from early summer to late autumn.

In the Pokémon world, the most famous carver Guang Tai immediately thought of Korrina from the Paldea region.

Every region has some miraculous carvings, but few know who made them — this is one of Pokémon world’s hidden settings; stone sculptors dislike fame.

Of course, there are also the Dracozolt sculptures commonly found in ruins, though their creators have long passed away.

As for Gym sculptures, as Guang Tai saw when reviewing the original owner’s memories, the original owner’s family often carved stone statues for Gyms; his father would also go to repair or remake reliefs and stone arrangements in Rock-type Gyms.

Though many questions still lingered, Pokémon matters always felt strangely wondrous, making him think even more.

Throughout this, Doujianshao had been waiting beside him, standing motionless for a long while, until Guang Tai picked up the glowing strange stone and suddenly noticed Doujianshao staring at him blankly.

“{}?”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

Actually, the two [ˋˊ] on Doujianshao’s blade look more like eyes.

But what Doujianshao was thinking was —

This gem doesn’t look like the one I wore before; this is what a real gem should look like!

I should’ve never given it to you!

“Oh, so you’re drawn to it? Here, try wearing it.”

Guang Tai handed the Evolution Stone to Doujianshao, who hesitated, wrapped it in a blue ribbon, then placed it on his hilt — to Guang Tai’s surprise, an embedded slot instantly appeared on the hilt, and the stone fitted perfectly.

Guang Tai immediately began to ponder.

Of course, though Doujianshao, as a Pokémon, has no mouth for eating and belongs to the Mineral group, it possesses a Ghost/Steel dual-typing — these two types reveal its essence: it is both a soul and the ancient sword itself; causing minor shape changes is effortless.

Come to think of it, in past anime, there was that “folding slash” technique used by Aegislash — I always thought it was an exaggerated battle animation for dramatic effect, but now it seems quite “realistic.”

Even though it’s a Mineral, in the Pokémon world it’s still classified as a living being. Hey, which living thing folds three times?!

“Yao!”

After obtaining the Evolution Stone, Doujianshao immediately felt a significant increase in the resilience of its blade body — a subtle sensation; the stone had once been an ordinary gem, but now it seemed “alive!”

Not only alive, but resonating with it, slowly stirring a certain power within, forming an endless cycle — faint, yet pleasant!

Doujianshao blinked its single eye and made a sound to Guang Tai:

“Yao!”

I’ve worn it — feeling excellent!

“Hardness, toughness, it looks like it’s in great condition,” Guang Tai smiled. “Keep wearing it until you sell it. Hmm, you might wear it a few more days—the client hasn’t replied yet, and right now this stone is gradually boosting your defense.”

“But I promise, I’ll find you a new Evolution Stone to replace it.”

“My craftsmanship will only get better — the stones I polish will become even more effective! But if you evolve into your final form, you won’t need an Evolution Stone anymore.”

Doujianshao’s eye lit up instantly, and it happily waved its blade.

“Yao!”

Full of confidence for the future — this is the mindset a new king I chose should have!

As for gems, fate will decide!

Guang Tai stretched his body and glanced at the computer’s time.

21:00.

Phew. Guang Tai exhaled deeply; though his body was tired, today had been truly fulfilling.

Doujianshao’s sudden appearance disrupted my thoughts and forcibly pulled me into this world.

That’s a good thing.

Since waking up until night, I’ve been working nonstop, not even noticing the passage of time — I only ate some dried fruit to stave off hunger. Now, finally, I have a moment to rest.

“That’s enough work for today — time to eat.”

To celebrate my first meeting with Doujianshao, I should cook something nice, but our supplies are low — a stew is possible, but nothing more elaborate.

I’ll need to buy more from the villagers — once I land my first big client and save up.

Normally, gathering wild vegetables and forest fruits from the mountains is enough to eat.

“By the way, what do you eat? Pokémon food?”

Guang Tai glanced at Doujianshao and began to wonder.

Though most Ghost-type Pokémon survive by absorbing life energy, they can apparently eat normal Pokémon food and human meals too — though some special Pokémon truly refuse ordinary food.

How does a Ghost-type Pokémon eat?

This creature, with a blade body and a ghostly essence — does it even need regular meals?

Its lore says it absorbs life energy, but among the Doujianshao family Pokémon I know, none have ever drained their trainer’s life force — whereas the similar Cofagrigus family is notorious for it.

And this guy can’t learn any “absorption” moves.

Looking at its Egg Group, if I recall correctly, it’s a Mineral — but Mineral types don’t only eat stones, dirt, or ice; for example, Trevenant is also a Mineral type, yet it eats normal Pokémon food.

So what does this ghostly blade prefer?

“Yao~”

Doujianshao answered as if it were obvious.

Of course, life essence — though not necessarily human.

But human essence recovers quickly through eating, so consuming human essence is convenient; and as a weapon, it naturally coexists with its wielder — though Guang Tai doesn’t seem to need weapon protection.

Doujianshao: Stare —

With its blue ribbon hand, it gestured and made sounds:

“Yao? Yao!”

Isn’t there always that kind of thing? The Hero’s Sword stuck in the forest?

Just place the Hero’s Sword in a designated spot, and no matter how many years pass, the blade won’t decay!

“Ah, the Hero’s Sword — so that’s an actual setting? You mean nature’s essence counts as life essence too? That makes sense — after all, there are wild Doujianshao; you can’t go sucking wild people dry.”

Guang Tai pondered.

A hero's sword embedded in the forest... sounds like something from "Rotten Blade" lore... If Cramorant carried an Aegislash, how high would its Species Value be?

Then he remembered something.

“So, does the essence of berries count too?”

“Yao!”

Doujianshao blinked, making a sound to confirm Guang Tai was right.

Berries definitely count — how else would you heal without essence?

“Then what about Power Herb? Even if your HP is full, using it just shows ‘No effect’…”

(End of Chapter)